The science museum field has made tremendous advances in understanding museum learning, but little has been done to consolidate and synethesize these findings to encourage widespread improvements in practice. By clearly presenting the most current knowledge of museum learning, In Principle, In Practice aims to promote effective programs and exhibitions, identify promising approaches for future research, and develop strategies for implementing and sustaining connections between research and practice in the museum community.

The science museum field has made tremendous advances in understanding museum learning, but little has been done to consolidate and synethesize these findings to encourage widespread improvements in practice. By clearly presenting the most current knowledge of museum learning, In Principle, In Practice aims to promote effective programs and exhibitions, identify promising approaches for future research, and develop strategies for implementing and sustaining connections between research and practice in the museum community.

1 Foreword
2 Preface
3 Part I: How People Learn in Museums
4 1. Towards an Improved Understanding of Learning from Museums: Filmmaking as Metaphor
5 2. Family Learning in Museums: Perspectives on a Decade of Research
6 3. Students, Teachers and Museums: Toward an Intertwined Learning Circle
7 4. Exhibit Design in Science Museums: Dealing with a Constructivist Dilemma
8 5. Research on Learning from Museums
9 Part II: Engaging Audiences in Meaningful Learning
10 6. Envisioning the Customized Museum: An Agenda to Guide Reflective Practice and Research
11 7. Museums and Cultural Understanding
12 8. Raising the Relevancy Bar at Aquariums and Science Centers
13 9. Challenging Convention and Communicating Controversy: Learning Through Issues-Based Museum Exhibitions
14 Part III: Fostering a Learning-Centered Culture in our Institutions
15 10. New Ways of Doing Business
16 11. Optimizing Learning Opportunities in Museums: The Role of Organizational Culture
17 12. Fostering Effective Free-Choice Learning Institutions: Integrating Theory, Research, Practice and Policymaking
18 13. Meaningful Collaboration
19 Part IV: Investigating Museum Learning in the Next Ten Years
20 14. Understanding the Long-Term Impacts of Museum Experiences
21 15. Investigating Socially Mediated Learning
22 16. Research in Museums: Coping With Complexity
23 17. An Emerging Research Framework for Studying Free-Choice Learning and Schools